Desire2Learn launches MOOC platform

Desire2Learn, one of higher education’s most popular learning management systems (LMS) will integrate a massive open online course (MOOC) platform into its existing learning platform.

USG will offer millions of online offerings with Desire2Learn’s platform.

The company announced the MOOC integration in an Oct. 8 release explaining the Desire2Learn Open Courses program will now include a massive online structure that can be used to customize MOOC adoption by colleges and universities.

Open Courses has gained traction in higher education in part because the platform allows colleges and universities to retain full ownership — including revenue rights — over the content used to create online classes.

Many MOOC platforms claim ownership of content once courses are created by faculty and administrators.

“MOOCs are not a new business for Desire2Learn; they’re a natural extension of what we do. The Open Courses platform benefits from the rest of the products that we already created,” said John Baker, president and CEO of Desire2Learn. “Through Open Courses, we’re providing technology-enabled learning environments that can help break down the barriers to accessing the highest quality learning experiences.”

The University System of Georgia (USG) announced in August that it would use the Desire2Learn MOOC platform to create and deliver MOOCs. USG officials said in August that the system’s Desire2Lean offerings would reach 50 million in the coming months.